“Listen Up Parents! Teens Are Talking” Teen Forum 2013

Richmond, VA -Community Outreach Director and News Director Clovia “Miss Community” Lawrence of Radio One Richmond: WKJS (99.3/105.7 Kiss FM) WCDX (iPower 92.1) & WPZZ (Praise 104.7 FM) hosts Richmond’s 6th Annual community forum for teens Saturday, August 24, 2013 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Trinity Family Life Center 3601 Richmond, VA 23222. Clovia will guide an audience of Richmond Area youth who are encouraged to voice their concerns and to be self expressed. A diverse panel of professionals, local citizens, counselors, along with an audience of their peers will be in attendence.

“Miss Community” opens the forum with teens sharing their experiences ranging from family conflict, sexual abuse, self esteem challenges to stories of redemption, forgiveness and hope. Distinguished panelists include: Asia Leach Brydson, a student at Highland Springs High School will discuss the balance of a good GPA while playing sports, Jaszmine Morris, a student at Varina High School will discuss joining a girls’ group to progress and not regress you, Richmond City Health District will offer free TDAP vaccinations for rising 6th graders, Gang Investigator and Mentor for Virginia Hamlet Hood will discuss the perils of gang life, induction practices, signs, crimes and exit plans, HIV/AIDS Advocate Deirdre Johnson will discuss education, options and solutions to combat sexually transmitted diseases, Kimberly Booker Executive Director, ALB Child Safety Foundation-SAFE Kids US will lead the discussion on peer pressure, safe life choices and the greates loss, and Dr. Shedrick McCall, Associate Professor of Psychology at VSU will discuss suicide prevention for teens and young adults. “Last year’s forum revealed that some area teens find themselves frustrated, defeated and misunderstood in a world governed by adults who may be out of touch with today’s stresses. The media’s depiction of today’s young adult is frequently one of a self-centered, materialistic, disrespectful teen barely concerned with matters that don’t directly benefit them” said Miss Community.

Unique to this teen forum, is that parents, guardians and adults may attend only as silent spectators. True to the principal objective of “Listen Up Parents! Teens Are Talking” this event affords teenagers the opportunity for honest expression among peers and professionals without judgment but with guidance and understanding.

National Recording Artist Chris Brown’s Symphonic Love Foundation will give away new shoes at the teen forum provided by Reebok. Shoes will be distributed while supplies last so register for the free teen forum here.

Quotes from 2012 Teen Forum participants:

Kayla -“I love these, because we are really letting out how we feel” Velencia-” I think this is a good idea to open up our PARENTS minds” Michael -“Awesome” Damon-I thought this event was off the chain”